Shillong, Feb 17: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has opined that the five Congress legislators’ ‘unconditional’ support to the MDA government is based on the performance of the government in the last four years, especially its commitment to resolve sensitive issues like Them Iew Mawlong and inter-state boundary issue with Assam.

“These two long pending issues, the public were saying that this is only a game of the government but when they see in the course of time that the MDA government is seriously taking up these issues then these five Congress MLAs were impressed and ultimately they give us unconditional support,” Tynsong said.

The Congress has suspended the five legislators – Ampareen Lyngdoh, PT Sawkmie, Mayral Born Syiem, Kimfa S Marbaniang and Mohendro Rapsang, on the ground that they have extended to a BJP-backed MDA government, which is anti-party.

To this, the deputy chief minister said the question of whether BJP is backing the government or not does not arise.

“We formed the MDA government with different political parties and the present setup will continue till the end of the term. In addition to this, the latest news is that five MLAs from Congress have also joined the MDA government which I personally feel is a very good sign for the MDA government as well as for the five Congress MLAs who decided to support the government,” he added.

Congress is a sinking ship

If the Congress’ decision would do more damage to the party, Tynsong said he would stick to his statement that Congress is completely a sinking ship.

“Not very long ago, I have already given my statement very clearly, please jump out of the sinking ship and I think it has happened (when the 12 MLAs joined AITC but not the five Congress MLAs),” he said.

Tynsong further maintained that the people of the state will be the best judge as far as the prospect of the Congress in 2023 is concerned.

“I don’t know how many constituencies they can set up the candidates, I think MPCC will be able to tell you,” he said.